The first episode of Channel 4’s newest dating show The Honesty Box aired last Tuesday. From slut shaming, to comparing a partner swap to a car sale, an overtone of
misogyny pervaded the debut episode.
‘Welcome to truetopia, a world of honesty and sincerity, where there’s only one simple rule:
do not lie’, host Vicky Pattison opened the debut episode of The Honesty Box. Pattison is
joined by Lucinda Light, who aims to guide these hopeful romantics through their
experience on what is – supposedly – the hottest new reality show. ‘With 90% of people
admitting to lying on dating apps, it’s time to try a radically different approach to finding
love,’ Pattison explained.
The concept had me hooked. Eager to see how this twist on classic reality TV would play
out, I was looking forward to an evening of what some may call mindless television. What I
did not expect was to be hit with explicit misogyny throughout.
Tommy was the first participant to be called into the honesty box, where participants are
asked questions under the watch of a “cutting edge, new AI lie detection system that
determines whether they are being truthful or not.” The ‘online fitness salesman’ was asked
if he has slept with more than 100 people, to which he replied “no.”
After this, Tommy’s ‘match’ named Rose, a cruise ship entertainer, reassured him that he didn’t need to lie or worry about the question, stating: “it’s not something I’m bothered about.”
Rose asked Tommy if his potential partner’s body count would be an important thing to him.
Tommy replied that there would certainly be “limitations” on what an acceptable number
would be.
Jokingly, Rose asked “Not 100?,” to which Tommy responded, “Definitely not 100.”
He continued, “I think it’s nice if a girl has protected that side of her. It means it’s more
special […] when I’m with them. Rather than if they’ve been with X amount.” Rose
questioned Tommy as to what sort of number he was referring to, and – here’s the real
kicker – he stated: “well it all depends. If a girl’s been with over 25 people, their value goes
down.”
In a behind the scenes video taped clip, Rose stated “I was really shocked to hear that he would think that. When it comes to body count, I think females shouldn’t be held accountable for it. It
doesn’t devalue you as a person. I don’t agree with that viewpoint at all.” Rose spoke on behalf of all women when she said this.
Tommy’s video taped clip that followed was dangerously reminiscent of locker room talk. He stated: “if we’re talking body count, yeah for me it does matter. I would say I don’t want a girl who’s been with X amount of boys, slept around, not really held herself to a high standard. I think it diminishes a girl’s value if she sleeps with so many boys. Call me controversial, but that’s
how I feel.”
These comments are not just ‘controversial’ – they are sexist, objectifying and
dehumanising. From an editorial production point of view, Tommy’s retrospective video taped
comments were aired after Rose’s; in this sense, he was given the last word on the matter.
This instance was, unfortunately, not the only instance of patriarchal thought in action seen
in just episode one. Cast member Ritchie was partnered with Vicky, and Tobias was partnered
with Noel, however both men discussed having a ‘vibe’ with the other’s match. A male cast
member Maldini commented “What’s going on here lads. [Because] it looks like you two might be making a deal here,” to which Tobias replied “deal done”. Maldini then encouraged the pair
to shake hands, which they did.
“He’s got the car salesman lines too,” said Maldini, referring to Tobias’ job, and Ritchie
replied “sign the papers mate, it’s yours.”
This ‘it’ was in reference to his original match, Noel. Tobias then said, “there’s your warranty paperwork. You’ll need it.” In a behind the scenes video tape, Tobias said: “listen. Boys will be boys, we all have to do it’. The dehumanisation of women evident in these comments was astounding, not only describing women like property to be traded, but also not taking any accountability for their female partner’s feelings.
Described as ‘dull’, ‘confusing’, and ‘another dating show like every other dating show,’ The
Honesty Box’s reviews have been lukewarm to say the least. However, comments have
mainly focused on execution of the show’s concept, rather than its rampant misogyny. I am
shocked that reception has not been characterised by female outrage – as that is certainly
how I felt towards the episode.
This channel 4 “the honesty box” is just another love island viewer tanker it’s awful 1st episode already 2 liars by contestants and already
— Brush My Teeth (@wearealienuk) May 1, 2025
turned it off #thehonestybox #channel4
Let’s be honest – reality TV is often pervaded by misogynistic tropes, comments and
representations of women. There could even be a question around whether you can simultaneously be a reality TV fan and a true feminist. This a culture that is clearly worsening, as these instances of male behaviour were unlike anything I have seen in recent years. I thought we were past the point where that level of blatant sexism would be aired on our screens.
There are two main issues at hand here: the comments themselves, and the fact that
Channel 4’s producers allowed them to be aired. The comments are the root issue, and the
airing of them adds fuel to the already damaging flame. The sexism held by these comments
spreads like wildfire.
Channel 4’s platforming of this ideology is a significant editorial oversight, and such oversights contribute towards the normalisation of women’s right to bodily autonomy being diminished, policed, and threatened and in our modern culture. In a climate where so-called ‘female rights activists’ such as campaign group For Women Scotland have lobbied The Supreme Court, I can’t help but wonder how much progress could be made if such groups turned their efforts and funds towards legislation that held organisations, such as Channel 4, to account. Directing campaigning in this direction would actually materialise the claimed goal of such groups: making women safer.
